The 2022 BMW X1’s biggest competitors include the Volvo XC40, the Mercedes-Benz GLA Class, and the Lexus NX, which rival the X1’s price range and performance.

Written by Mary Alice Morris

Edited by Pat Roache

Reviewed by Jessica Barrett

Updated on Feb 15, 2024

Table of Contents

Volvo XC40
Mercedes-Benz GLA Class
Lexus NX
Lincoln Corsair
Audi Q3
Jaguar E-Pace
Lexus UX
Cadillac XT4

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The BMW X1 brings fuel efficiency, great handling, and impressive cargo space to the luxury crossover SUV class—but drivers can find similar practicality with the Volvo XC40, Mercedes-Benz GLA Class, and more.

Quick look:

Model	Starting price range	Engine options	Maximum seating capacity	Maximum cargo volume	Maximum towing capacity	Fuel economy (combined/city/highway)
2022 BMW X1	$36,395 to $38,395	Four cylinder	5 seats	58.7 cubic ft	3700 lb	26/23/31 mpg
2022 Volvo XC40	$36,195 to $52,795	Four-cylinder or EV	5 seats	47.2 cubic ft	3500 lb	26/23/22 mpg
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA Class	$37,450 to $39,450	Four-cylinder	5 seats	50.5 cubic ft	not rated	28/24/34 mpg
2022 Lexus NX	$34,895 to $48,585	V6	8 seats	86.4 cubic ft	5000 lb	19/26/22 mpg
2022 Lincoln Corsair	$37,775 to $53,005	Four-cylinder	5 seats	57.6 cubic ft	2000 lb	25/22/29 mpg
2022 Audi Q3	$37,595 to $43,195	Four-cylinder	5 seats	48 cubic feet	not rated	26/23/30 mpg
2022 Jaguar E-Pace	$42,850 to $51,045	Four-cylinder	5 seats	49.5 cubic ft	1,653 lbs	23/20/26 mpg
2022 Lexus UX	$34,525 to $41,854	Four-cylinder	5 seats	40.4 cubic ft	not rated	32/29/37 mpg
2022 Cadillac XT4	$36,940 to $43,040	Four-cylinder	5 seats	48.9 cubic ft	2500 lbs	24/22/29 mpg

Volvo XC40

Starting price: $36,195 to $52,795

Selling points: Available electric powertrain, practical cabin with Swedish style, nice tech options

Weak spot: EV is quite expensive, gas-powered model lags in efficiency

The 2022 Volvo XC40 offers plenty of tech and comfort. The infotainment system is well-equipped across trims, and the driver safety tech includes:

Automated emergency braking

Pedestrian detection

Lane-departure warning

Lane-keeping assist

Optional semi-autonomous driving mode with adaptive cruise control

Choose from one of three XC40 powertrains:

184-hp turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder

248-hp turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder

402-hp two-motor electric vehicle powertrain

The most powerful XC40 EV trim—the

XC40 Recharge

—can scoot from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. However, you'll have to shell out over $16,000 more than the base price.

MORE: Is the Volvo XC40 Recharge a worthy competitor?

Mercedes-Benz GLA Class

Starting price: $37,450 to $39,450

Selling points: Attractive inside and out, comfortable interior space

Weak spot: Slightly less cargo space and headroom

The 2022

Mercedes-Benz GLA 250

’s turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder pushes this luxury SUV from 0-60 mph in a respectable 6.3 seconds and manages to be fairly fuel-efficient at the same time.

The GLA 250 is a standard front-wheel drive, but the more expensive

GLA 250 4Matic

has all-wheel drive and includes the Mercedes Off-Road Engineering Package. That means added off-road driving modes to help in snowy or muddy conditions.

GLA Class infotainment: Dual 7-inch touchscreen displays can be upgraded to 10.3-inch displays in the Premium Package. However, expected luxury infotainment features, like navigation and heads-up display, are available but not standard.

Lexus NX

Starting price: $39,425 to $58,475

Selling points: Available hybrid and PHEV powertrains

Weak spot: Powerful PHEV costs nearly $20,000 more than the base

The 2022 Lexus NX has four available powertrains for a variety of horsepower needs:

Base 203-hp four-cylinder

Turbocharged 275-hp four-cylinder

Hybrid 239-hp four-cylinder combined with two electric motors

Plug-in hybrid 304-hp four-cylinder combined with two electric motors

Fuel economy at a price: The base level fuel economy falls in about the same mpg range as its competitors, but the PHEV gets an outstanding 84 MPGe—in exchange for a hefty price tag.

The NX also brings generous offerings for standard safety tech (including standard adaptive cruise control), plus a comfortable interior and agreeable standard infotainment system.

Lincoln Corsair

Starting price: $37,775 to $53,005

Selling points: Well-appointed interior and stunning exterior design

Weak spot: Capable, but not competitive on the road, not for thrill seekers

The Lincoln Corsair is more for pragmatists than it is for thrill-seekers.

Powertrain options: Its two gas-powered engine options are nearly identical in terms of performance, but the larger 2.3-liter four-cylinder comes with standard AWD. There’s an available PHEV that trades power for fuel efficiency.

The base trim Corsair interior is comfortable, but you’ll get a lot of features if pay $5,000 to move from the entry-level trim to the Revel trim:

Heated leather front seats

Built-in navigation

Panoramic sunroof

10-way power adjustable driver’s seat

Audi Q3

Starting price: $37,595 to $43,195

Selling points: Looks and feels more expensive than it is, drives with some flair

Weak spot: Back is a bit cramped, some lag between gas pedal and acceleration

The Audi Q3 is the least expensive Audi SUV you can buy. It’s not the quickest in its class with a somewhat leisurely 7.3-second 0-60 time, but its 2-liter turbocharged four performs adequately.

Despite an underwhelming powertrain, the Q3’s base interior features make for an enjoyable driving experience:

Super-soft suspension

Plush leather seats

Power sunroof

Valet function

Heated front seats

Jaguar E-Pace

Starting price: $42,850 to $51,045

Selling points: The exclusivity of driving a Jaguar, standard AWD, up to five years of complimentary maintenance

Weak spot: Not as refined or well-appointed as competitors, higher price tag than competitors

Let’s start with some of the better qualities of the 2022 Jaguar E-Pace:

The cabin’s front end is designed with the driver fully in mind. All infotainment and comfort functions are easily accessible and visible from the driver’s seat.

Its digital gauge cluster and touchscreen infotainment system are well-positioned and easy to operate.

Its standard safety features are generous when compared to competitors.

Complimentary maintenance: Jaguar also offers an exceptional complementary maintenance schedule that lasts just as long as the five-year/60,000-mile factory warranty.

On the downside, the E-Pace is not nearly as fuel-efficient as competitors in its class. The base price is also several thousand dollars higher than other builds, even from European manufacturers.

Lexus UX

Starting price: $34,525 to $41,865

Selling points: Affordable with a nice-but-smallish cabin and generous standard features

Weak spot: Unimpressive engine and lethargic acceleration

The

Lexus UX

is available with a gas or hybrid powertrain, and you can pick between FWD and AWD. Its handling is more like that of a low-profile car than a chunky compact SUV.

The UX interior offers comfortable front and back seats—although the legroom and headroom aren’t that impressive. It’s also rich in standard features that you’d usually have to buy into with a package:

Dual-zone climate control

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Armrest multimedia controls

Forward-collision warning

Automatic high-beam headlights, and many other perks

Underwhelming infotainment: Unfortunately, the UX’s notorious infotainment system features touchpad controls that operate like an awkward laptop pad.

Cadillac XT4

Starting price: $36,940 to $43,040

Selling points: Great cargo and passenger space, standard Wi-Fi hotspot

Weak spot: Not notably athletic or responsive, interior falls short

Although it’s marketed as a sporty compact SUV, the 2022

Cadillac XT4

isn’t particularly spirited. It’s a capable and comfortable ute that just happens to be overshadowed by other models with faster acceleration and more responsive steering.

One powertrain option: Its 235-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine carries across all trim levels, and it’s matched to a nine-speed automatic transmission and your choice of AWD or FWD.

While Cadillac is known for its extensive driver assistance and safety features, most of them are only available as options on the XT4. But forward collision warning and automated emergency braking both come standard on the XT4.